Microchip has introduced a new 14-bit dsPIC33EP 'GS' family of digital signal controllers (DSCs). This series has the performance required to implement more complex non-linear, predictive and adaptive control algorithms at higher switching frequencies.
These advanced algorithms make power supply designs more energy efficient and have better power supply specifications. Higher switching frequencies can lead to physically smaller power supplies that provide higher density and lower cost. Compared with the previous generation DSC, the new dsPIC33EP 'GS' device has less than half the delay when used in a three-pole, three-zero compensator, and reduces power consumption by 80% in any application.
This new dsPIC33EP 'GS' family includes advanced features such as real-time update flash capability, which is especially useful for high availability or "always on" systems. Real-time updates can be used to change the firmware of the operating power supply, including the active compensator calculation code, while maintaining continuous adjustment. The company said that the new digital power-optimized DSC series variants are available in the industry's smallest 4 x 4 mm UQFN package and are suitable for space-constrained designs.
Other key features in this series include up to five 12-bit ADCs with up to 22 ADC inputs, providing a total throughput of 16 megasamples per second (Msps), and an ADC latency of 300ns. The dsPIC33EP 'GS' device includes a 12-bit DAC for each of the four analog comparators for a more accurate design. Two on-chip programmable gain amplifiers are available for current sensing and other precision measurements. Including these advanced analog amplifiers on the device reduces the number of external components required, saving cost and board space.
These features combined with the overall high performance of the dsPIC33EP 'GS' series make it ideal for a variety of applications, including: computing and telecommunications AC / DC and DC / DC power supplies; industrial solar inverters, LED lighting, HID lighting, battery charging Projectors, projectors and welding machines; automotive LED and HID headlights and DC-DC converters; among others.
This series is supported by Microchip's MPLAB Starter Kit for Digital Power (DM330017-2), which enables users to explore the new dsPIC33EP "GS" family in popular digital power conversion topologies.
Microchip's new digital compensator design tool helps engineers calculate the best compensator coefficients needed to maximize design performance. This free tool, combined with Microchip's compensator software library and many royalty-free dsPIC33 reference designs, makes designing digital power conversion applications easier than ever. The company also partnered with Biricha Digital to provide in-depth digital power design seminars to help analog power designers and embedded system programmers take advantage of the full digital control capabilities in their designs.
The 14 dsPIC33EP 'GS' family members are available in various packages from 28 to 64 pins.
